Chapter 24 – Fishing
Novel Title: 一屋暗灯 (Ephemeral Light)
Author：麦香鸡呢 (McChicken)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 宋谨 (Song Jin -MC), 宋星阑 (Song Xinglan -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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The next day, Song Jin got up on time. He made breakfast, washed his face and brushed his teeth. He then took his and Song Xinglan’s clothes to wash.
Shortly after, Song Xinglan also got up. After washing up in the bathroom, he went to the yard and took a broom to sweep the floor.
Since it rained yesterday, the maple leaves were stuck to the ground, making it difficult to sweep. Song Xinglan squatted down and picked up the leaves one by one. Song Jin turned around and saw a wet leaf fall on Song Xinglan’s head. Song Xinglan touched the rainwater on his head and looked up at Song Jin. He hesitated for a moment. But then smiled at Song Jin.
Song Jin turned back and continued washing the clothes.
After finishing sweeping the floor, Song Xinglan stood next to Song Jin. Seeing that Song Jin was struggling with washing the clothes, Song Xinglan reached out his hand and said, “Ge, let me do it.”
Song Jin handed him the clothes. Song Xinglan started washing them. He put the hoodie into the bucket, shook it a few times, lifted it up, shook it again, lifted it up, shook it again…
“That’s enough,” Song Jin glanced at him. “Get another bucket of clean water.”
Song Xinglan did as he was told, carefully rinsing the clothes.
After putting all the wrung clothes into the bucket, Song Jin was going to take them upstairs to hang them. Song Xinglan quickly took the bucket of clothes. So Song Jin carried the lighter washing basin. Together, they headed upstairs.
Song Xinglan shook out each piece of clothing and handed them to Song Jin, who hung them on the clothes rack.
The sun has risen. After last night’s rainstorm, the air is filled with a moist and clear scent. Everything appears to be very clean.
After breakfast, Song Jin went to Song Xinglan’s small room to clean it up. Song Xinglan’s travel bag was unpacked item by item and placed neatly in the nearby cardboard box. His phone must have had many important things in it. So it was taken by the people from the company, leaving only a tablet.
Song Jin couldn’t help but think of the video he watched in the rain three years ago. He glanced back and saw Song Xinglan standing by the bed, carefully folding the quilt.
Song Jin walked over and took the tablet, letting Song Xinglan unlock it with his fingerprint.
Looking at Song Jin, Song Xinglan asked, “Ge, do you want this? It’s yours.”
“No,” Song Jin said, “Just let me take a look.”
Flipping through the album, there were only some contracts and documents. Presumably, Song Xinglan wouldn’t have placed that video here. Moreover, it’s been three years. So this tablet should be new and might not contain any old items.
Song Jin handed the tablet back to Song Xinglan and asked, “Can you promise me one thing?”
Song Xinglan looked at him seriously and said, “I promise.”
“Once you get better, delete the video, okay?” Song Jin said.
Song Xinglan didn’t ask what video it was. He just nodded and agreed, “Okay, Ge. Just tell me and I’ll delete it.”
In fact, Song Jin didn’t take his promise to heart. He just suddenly realised that after being scared by the thunder yesterday, Song Xinglan’s speech wasn’t stuttering anymore. He planned to mention this to the doctor and the people at the company later. This should also be considered a kind of recovery.
After cleaning the room and taking a rest, Song Jin and Song Xinglan went out to the vegetable garden to take a look. Along the way, they met several villagers carrying empty water buckets. Song Jin asked, “What’s going on?”
“Yesterday’s heavy rain caused the reservoir in the mountains to release water today. They say there are a lot of fish in the river over there!”
Song Xinglan suddenly excitedly exclaimed, “Ge, I want to see some fish too!”
Song Jin said, “Then let’s go take a look.”
The stream was not wide nor deep. When they arrived, many villagers were already there. The elderly and children were gathered on the bank, while the adults waded into the river barefoot, fishing and catching fish. There did seem to be quite a few fish and they looked plump.
Ever since the news of Song Xinglan ‘dead’ in the field spread through the village, everyone knew about the mentally challenged brother in Song Jin’s family. Nearby villagers said, “Xiao Song, why don’t you go into the water with your brother and try catching some fish? Maybe lunch will be taken care of this way.”
Song Jin knew that his injured leg couldn’t withstand the cold water. But seeing Song Xinglan eager and excited, he asked, “Do you want to catch some?”
“I do.” Song Xinglan nodded vigorously. “I want to catch fish.”
“Then you go down, take off your shoes and socks, roll up your pants legs a bit, and I’ll go home to get a bucket.”
“Okay!” Song Xinglan immediately bent down to take off his shoes. Song Jin placed his shoes and socks under a tree and then went home.
By the time Song Jin returned to the river with a bucket and a net, Song Xinglan was already making a splash.
He borrowed someone else’s net to catch fish. It was unclear where he had learned his fishing technique. But every catch was spot on. Since he didn’t have a bucket, he had to give the fish to others first. Every time he caught a fish, the people on the bank would cheer, and Song Xinglan would throw the fish into the bushes for them to pick up.
“Xiao Song, your brother is amazing,” a villager said to Song Jin with a smile when he saw him coming. “He’s so good at fishing. His eyes are really sharp.”
Song Jin smiled.
He stood on the bank, watching as Song Xinglan caught a fish. As soon as he looked up, he saw Song Jin and shouted as he held up the net, “Ge! I caught a fish, give me the bucket!”
Song Jin said, “Throw it up onto the bank. I’ll pick it up.”
“No,” Song Xinglan said, “your hands will get dirty.”
With that, he walked to the riverbank. When he reached Song Jin, he carefully placed the fish into the bucket with his own hands.
Song Jin heard someone say, “Xiao Song, your younger brother is too partial. He’s not willing to let you touch the fish, afraid you’ll get your hands dirty.”
Song Xinglan smiled at Song Jin and then turned back to catch more fish. Song Jin watched his back with a calm expression.
While Song Xinglan was catching fish, Song Jin went to the vegetable garden to pick some green onions, ginger, and garlic for cooking the fish. Then he returned to the riverbank and called for Song Xinglan to go home.
Most of the fish were given away by Song Xinglan to others. There were only five or six fish in their own bucket. But it was enough for them to eat for several meals.
Song Xinglan carried the bucket and also remembered to take his shoes. Song Jin, seeing him walking barefoot, asked, “Aren’t you cold?”
“It’s not cold,” Song Xinglan said with a smile. “The sun is shining. So it’s not cold.”
After returning home, Song Jin went to fetch warm water for Song Xinglan to soak his feet. Song Xinglan sat on a small stool and Song Jin placed the basin in front of him, saying, “See if it’s too hot.”
Song Xinglan put his feet in and shook his head, saying, “It’s just right.”
Song Jin squatted to the side, watching the fish in the bucket. He had never killed a fish before. So he could only let Song Xinglan try later. If that didn’t work, he would have to ask the neighbours for help.
Grapefruit’s two front paws were placed on the edge of the bucket as it leaned over, focused on watching the fish inside.
Song Xinglan looked at Song Jin and suddenly said, “Ge, don’t cry anymore.”
Song Jin looked up at him. Song Xinglan lowered his eyes, saying, “I don’t want to see you cry. It makes me very uncomfortable.”
“I will behave. If I did something wrong, just tell me. I will change. But please, don’t cry.”
If the old Song Xinglan had this kind of personality, they wouldn’t have ended up like this.
Song Jin turned his gaze back to the bucket of fish and said, “If something is wrong, it’s already wrong. It’s no use trying to change it. Things had already happened.”
“It’s useful…” There was a hint of tears in Song Xinglan’s voice. “As long as you say it, I’ll change. After I change, you’ll forget all the mistakes I’ve made. Then it’ll be useful.”
Song Jin stood up, looking at him somewhat helplessly. “Don’t cry.”
Song Xinglan, with red eyes, sniffled, “Ge, don’t drive me away. Don’t reject me, okay?”
Song Jin couldn’t give him a definite answer at the moment. He could only reach out and pat his head. Song Xinglan had recently shaved his head, so it felt a bit rough. Song Jin said, “Alright. Stop crying. Go kill the fish.”
Song Xinglan wiped away a tear and said, “I don’t know how to kill fish, Ge.”
Song Jin didn’t say anything. So Song Xinglan considered and said, “But I can give it a try.”
With Song Xinglan’s ‘give it a try’, the whole yard was splattered with fish blood.
Song Jin stood by the door holding Grapefruit, watching as the fish, which was half gutted, slipped repeatedly from Song Xinglan’s hands, flopping wildly on the ground. Finally, Song Xinglan stepped on its head, forcing it to stop moving except for its tail.
“Forget it. Let’s ask the uncle next door to kill it. Don’t torture it. Can we let it die quickly?” Song Jin said.
“It’ll be quick.” Song Xinglan said. Then he chopped it down with one knife.
Song Jin felt a squeeze in his heart at that moment. He was afraid that Song Xinglan might accidentally chop his own foot.
During the fish preparation, Song Xinglan kept hovering around, eager to help. Song Jin covered the pot and glanced at Song Xinglan, noticing a streak of fish blood on his face.
“Your face is dirty,” Song Jin said. “Go wipe it off.”
Song Xinglan stared at the pot, absentmindedly wiping his face.
“It’s still dirty,” Song Jin remarked.
Song Xinglan wiped his face again.
Song Jin pulled his hat and took him to the bathroom.
Standing in front of the mirror, Song Jin took a damp tissue and wiped Song Xinglan’s cheek. Song Xinglan obediently lowered his head, his eyes fixed on Song Jin at close range.
His gaze was direct and unguarded. Song Jin felt somewhat uncomfortable. So he put down his hand, tossed the tissue into the trash, and asked, “What are you looking at?”
“Ge, you’re really good-looking,” Song Xinglan said.
Before, this person described him as mediocre. Now, Song Xinglan sincerely praised him. Song Jin couldn’t confirm for a moment if the silly-looking Song Xinglan was speaking the truth or lying.
“Someone used to say that everything about me is mediocre and there’s nothing special to me.” Song Jin said as he washed his hands.
“That person must have been blind,” Song Xinglan concluded confidently.
Song Jin turned to look at him. There was a rare hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth. He said, “Who knows. You can ask him when you see him in the future.”
“I won’t ask,” Song Xinglan said, “I’ll just punch him. That blind guy.”
During the meal, Song Xinglan discreetly piled fish meat that looked less prickly in front of Song Jin’s spot, while he picked some scattered fish meat with thorns for himself. Song Jin glanced at the bowl of fish soup. He then picked up a few pieces of fish meat from his side and put them into Song Xinglan’s bowl, saying, “I can’t eat this much. You eat it yourself.”
This was the first time he had picked dishes for Song Xinglan. Song Xinglan stared at the bowl in silence for a few seconds. He then ate his meal vigorously. After finishing the fish meat in the bowl, he started picking up the minced meat again for Song Jin.
Song Jin picked up a large piece of fish meat and handed it to him again. “I said I can’t eat it all. You eat more.”
Song Xinglan didn’t say anything. But after finishing the fish meat, he continued to pick up minced meat again.
Song Jin was about to pick up more for him when his hand suddenly stopped in midair. He asked, “Are you deliberately letting me pick dishes for you?”
Song Xinglan chuckled as he ate. He shook his head. “No. I’m not.”
Song Jin: “…”
After dinner, Song Jin had work to do on his computer. Song Xinglan said, “Ge, I still want to go catch fish. I promised them.”
“Who did you promise?”
“Xiao Qiang, Da Jun, and a few others. I forgot their names.”
They were all children with an average age of not more than ten years old.
Song Jin said, “Then you should go. But be careful. And don’t forget to bring back your shoes.”
“Okay, Ge!”
Song Xinglan happily carried the water bucket and went out. Song Jin watched his tall, thin figure disappear outside the courtyard gate. He then returned to work in his room.
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*Translator’s Note: I really like this chapter so much. Isn’t the best way to kill a fish is to let it out of the water and wait for it to die?
Anyway…
Song Jin: Someone used to say that everything about me is mediocre and there’s nothing special to me.
Song Xinglan: That person must have been blind.
Me: Yeah. Totally blind. Go pluck your eyes out. Hahahaha!
-K
Next update: -Daily-
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